split fenders

PostPost by: ozone.breath » Fri Jul 16, 1999 1:28 am

Here's one for the Elan historians.

My understanding (this is a vague, based-on-here-say understanding,
and if anyone has more accurate information, please correct me) is
that some period Elan race cars, especially in England, had "cheater"
rear fender flares that were intended to be invisible, or at least
not readily apparent, to scrutiniers.

These fenders were reportedly crafted by splitting the bodywork at
the top of the fender, all the way from the tail light area to a
few inches aft of the door, and glassing in a narrow strip in
between to widen the car subtly without changing the actual shape
of the fenders. This was supposed to be nearly undetectable if
done carefully. The rear bumper would presumably have to be
widened slightly, as well.

Has anyone else heard of this?

Regards,
Erik Berg
Los Angeles






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PostPost by: abstamaria » Fri Jul 16, 1999 11:33 pm

Hello Erik,

No, I've not heard of "cheater fenders" for the Elan, but your note reminded
me of a similar fix for the Lotus 23. My 23 has slight bulges in the rear
to take the fatter tires now on the car, but one could get what is called a
"Schaefer body" that has a three-inch strip spliced into the centerline of
the body. This allowed the flat flanks that 23s are supposed to have and
fat tires as well. Unless you measure, the "fix" is not noticeable at all.
Regards,

Andres
Manila
45/8439






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PostPost by: rodbean » Sat Jul 17, 1999 4:53 am

"Erik V. Berg" wrote:


Yes, the Bill Young 26R (the yellow one.... a S2... not the red one) he
raced in SCCA had this "treatment". I think they may have disallowed it
upon close inspection after a few races... not sure.

I did see it blow off everything except the very fastest Cobra in the big
bore race at Stardust in Las Vegas (if they had put the car in the "medium
bore" race, it would have lapped the field at least once so Elans ran with
the big thumpers... just the way we like it).

Rod







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PostPost by: brian wilson » Mon Jul 19, 1999 4:08 am

-----Original Message-----
From: A. Sta. Maria [SMTP:[email protected]]
Sent: Saturday, 17 July 1999 9:33
To: [email protected]
Cc: Erik V. Berg
Subject: Re: [lotuselan] split fenders

Talking of aerodynamic aids has anyone got a Plus 2 with the original
fairing sheets that were fitted underneath around the front and rear
suspension.

I want to try and replicate them for my restoration

Evidently at the first service or before they were removed for various
reasons

Brian Wilson
[email protected]

PS Jeff,

Sanden state their compressors start at 90 odd volts and are for
electric/hybrid cars, so back to square one!!






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PostPost by: lotustony » Mon Jul 19, 1999 4:15 am

Brian Wilson wrote:


Electric drive compressors might still be out there somewhere in the
automotive future . . I note that a new BMW will have a -42- volt electrics
system.

Tony Clark - Sherman, TEXAS
26 years of LOTUS exhumation
Eleven S1 - Elite S1 - Elan S1 - 23B - 51A
[email protected]









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PostPost by: paul_adamson » Mon Jul 19, 1999 9:32 am

Fairing sheets...

I'm intrested in details. As being a newbie to Elans (still searching for a +2s 130/5) of all the cars I've looked at I havn't seen any with anything that could be sescribed as fairing sheets.


Brian


-----Original Message-----
From: A. Sta. Maria [SMTP:[email protected]]
Sent: Saturday, 17 July 1999 9:33
To: [email protected]
Cc: Erik V. Berg
Subject: Re: [lotuselan] split fenders

Talking of aerodynamic aids has anyone got a Plus 2 with the original
fairing sheets that were fitted underneath around the front and rear
suspension.

I want to try and replicate them for my restoration

Evidently at the first service or before they were removed for various
reasons

Brian Wilson
[email protected]

---------------------o0o------------------
Brian Scally - Philips Semiconductors Systems Lab. Southampton UK
tel : +44 2380 312654 fax : +44 2380 316303
mailto:[email protected] seri : bscally@ukpsshp1






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PostPost by: ozone.breath » Wed Jul 21, 1999 2:04 am

I wrote:

Rod replied:

Ah ha. Thanks, Rod! Any thoughts on how I might track Bill
down, so as to try to find out more information from him about
this?

Regards,
Erik Berg
Los Angeles






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PostPost by: rodbean » Wed Jul 21, 1999 11:10 am

"Erik V. Berg" wrote:


Well, I don't know where to find him these days but remember, this is one
of those Dick Guldstrand/Smokey Yunick stories where this was really a
demon cheat. He may not want to talk about it.

Anybody know if he's still around? He used to be a Lotus dealer in the LA
area.

Rod







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PostPost by: alan9 at xxxxxx.xxxx.xxx » Mon Jul 26, 1999 8:46 pm


For the uninitiated, could you please describe what "cheater" rear
fender flares are? Why would or how would fender flares be cheating?

--Frank
Curious in San Francisco





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PostPost by: ozone.breath » Mon Jul 26, 1999 9:39 pm

Frank asked:

Well, this is just my understanding based on third
hand information, but under the rules for some classes,
of some racing organizations, body modifications such
as widening fenders so as to make room for wider
rubber, are verboten.

My present interest is actually for a street-driven
car. My '65 has flares on the back, and I don't like
them. The wheels that I have on it are 13x6 Aluminum
Minilites, and with 175 or 185/60x13 tires they need
a little more fender clearance than a stock wheel
arch provides.

I think split fenders might be just the ticket,
because they would be so stock looking...

Regards,
Erik Berg






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PostPost by: elancoupe » Mon Jul 26, 1999 10:19 pm

Erik wrote:

has rear fender wells intact.... ;) (shameless plug mode off).
Anyway, tech inspectors notwithstanding, that seems like the slick way to
go. Keep us updated

Mike Braun






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PostPost by: ozone.breath » Mon Jul 26, 1999 11:51 pm

I wrote:

Mike Braun replied:

Wait a minute. I thought that was a 36/45 rear clip. If it
is a type 26 rear clip, I would be interested.

Regards,
Erik






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PostPost by: elancoupe » Tue Jul 27, 1999 1:47 am


the area needed to remove flares is the same. I had a set of S2 fender
openings from Curtis, laid them over the clip, could see no difference. Food
for thought,

Mike B






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